A few days ago, my husband and I ate at the Corner Cafe in Riverside, Missouri. We’ve been there for many meals, but noticed something new this time. The decor at the Corner Cafe tends toward the old and homey. In a room where we’ve eaten often, beside a table where I think we’ve sat before, was an embossed ceiling tile from the 1866 Platte County, Missouri, Courthouse. That’s older (if not homier) than any of their other decorative items. And I’d never noticed it before. When have you noticed something new in an old haunt?

This month’s full moon is apparently a “micromoon” which looks smaller than most full moons, because it is farther from the Earth. But I thought last night’s moon was lovely nonetheless.

I am sooo glad to be almost a week into the shortest month of the year. I can’t wait for longer days without gloves and scarves and coats. We’ve had a surprisingly warm weekend, so I went out and poked around in the yard a bit today. And was cheered to see signs of spring. These little crocus will be blooming soon, a promise that winter will go away again! What do you look forward to most about spring?

I finally got a chance to visit the Maya exhibit at Union Station. Lots of history, artifacts and videos telling the story of this interesting civilization. My daughter and I had a great time looking at all the interesting artifacts and their description. One of the more interesting items was an incredibly heavy ball they used to play games with.

Much of the nation has had dreadful weather this winter. But in Kansas City we’ve been relatively fortunate. We had bitter cold just before Christmas, but have had mostly mild weather since then. This week, it looks like we’ll have a brief cold spell, then return to the 50s. That’s warm enough for a walk, which warms my soul as well as my body. How do you define a warm winter?

If you haven’t voted early, be sure to vote today. Whatever your political persuasion.

Me dance? Not on your life! Alas, I didn’t have a chance to say “no.”

Homes nearby are illuminated by the brilliant leaves! OOOOOH Kansas!

I recently spent an afternoon at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. First, I walked through my favorite French Impressionist gallery, which I rediscover each time I go to the Nelson. I still had extra time, so next I went to the Nelson’s special exhibit on Art Deco. One of my book clubs recently read Appetite for America, by Stephen Fried, about the Fred Harvey empire. I was surprised and pleased to see that the Art Deco exhibit featured a dress worn by Betty Drage Harvey in 1933. She came to a tragic end, but she must have enjoyed

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